Potential of Future Thermoelectric Energy Recuperation for Aviation

Abstract

Germany's Fifth Aeronautical Research Program (LuFo-V) gives the framework for the thermoelectric energy recuperation for aviation (TERA) project, which focuses on the positioning of thermoelectricity by means of a holistic reflection of technological possibilities and challenges for the adoption of thermoelectric generators (TEG) to aircraft systems. The aim of this paper is to show the project overview and some first estimations of the performance of an integrated TEG between the hot section of an engine and the cooler bypass flow. Therefore, casing integration positions close to different components are considered such as high-pressure turbine (HPT), low-pressure turbine (LPT), nozzle, or one of the interducts, where the temperature gradients are high enough for efficient TEG function. TEG efficiency is then to be optimized by taking into account occurring thermal resistance, heat transfer mechanisms, efficiency factors, as well as installation and operational system constrains like weight and space.